State Department orders some US government employees out of Kabul

The United States on Tuesday ordered government employees out of its embassy in the Afghan capital ofKabulif their work can be done elsewhere, citing increasing violence in the city.

The order came in an updated State Department travel advisory for Afghanistan, where the Biden administration is beginning a drawdown of UScombat troops on May 1.

"In light of increasing violence and threat reports inKabul, the Department has approved Ordered Departure status affecting a relatively small number of employees at the USEmbassy inKabuleffective immediately," a State Department spokeswoman said by email. She declined to discuss the exact number of staff affected.

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"We do not anticipate any changes to our operations and capabilities resulting from this action," she added.

President Joe Biden this month set a deadline for withdrawing all 2,500 UStroops remaining in Afghanistan of September11, the 20th anniversary of al Qaeda's attacks on the United States that triggered the war.